The role of plant receptor-like kinases in sensing extrinsic and host-derived signals and shaping the microbiome

Microbiota provide diverse benefits to their hosts, including nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. However, the mechanisms by which plants coordinate intrinsic and extrinsic cues to shape microbial communities remain poorly understood. Receptor-like kinases (RLKs), one of the largest gene families in plants, are central to the perception of both exogenous and endogenous signals, including pathogens, mutualists, and plant physiology. Indeed, recent evidence has identified RLKs that regulate microbiome structure and function. This minireview focuses on how their quantity and ability to transduce diverse signals make RLKs strong candidates to coordinate plant physiology and immunity with the microbiome.